This weekend’s New Taipei City Athletics Open will have a strong green and gold presence with 27 athletes competing as part of the Australian Athletics Under 23 Tour, with the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet capping off the nation’s week-long stay in Taiwan.
Held at the Banqiao Stadium, the two-day competition offers Taiwanese athletes a key opportunity to qualify for the Asian Games in Japan this September, while for international visitors like Australia – it is a key development opportunity in transitioning to the Open ranks.
The international headliners include hurdle star Tobi Amusan (NGR), sprinter Veronica Shanti Pereira (SGP) and Olympic hammer throw champion Anita Wlodarczyk (POL), highlighting the status of the meet.
Txai Anglin (QLD, Brett Robinson) is enjoying her first season in the 400m hurdles and has lowered her best to 57.94-seconds already, returning to Taiwan after placing fifth in the 400m in 2025 – this time ranked third in her new pursuit.
Adding to the sprinting action, Rory Easton (QLD, Rajeev Balakrishnan) is poised for a 200m showdown with World Under 20 silver medallist Puripol Boonson (THA), while his 100m contest features sub-10 second man and Olympic 4x100m champion Jerome Blake (CAN).
19-year-old Zoe Chester (QLD, Liam Adcock) is ranked prominently in the long jump with her 6.20m personal best and will have the unique opportunity of competing at the same international meet as her coach, with global medallist Liam Adcock (NSW, self-coached) entered individually in the Men’s Long Jump.
Adding to the action in the field, Vanesa Apel (NSW, Michael Hamlyn-Harris) finds the perfect competition with just two centimetres separating the top six athletes on paper, with Apel’s 1.80m personal best placing her in strong contention for the win.
Two-time World Under 20 representative Olivia Inkster (NSW, Katie Edwards) makes her second Australian Under 23 Tour in the 100m /200m, while Lima teammate Sophia Gregorevic (VIC, Tom O’Connor) is locked and loaded for the 400m along with top seed Brenton Kerr (NSW, Tanya Kerr) for the men’s event at 45.36-seconds.
Challenged by Taiwan’s heat and humidity, Australia’s middle-distance runners will have an opportunity to refine their racing craft, with Mia Toohey (NSW, Jacinta Doyle) taking on the toughest challenge as the fastest athlete in the 3000m steeplechase field at 10:17.70, while Evander Scott (VIC, Ben Scott) and Wolfgang Cotra-Nemesi (VIC, Tim O’Shaughnessy) are the top two prospects over 1500m.
High jumper Connor Larsen (QLD, Marty Stolberg) and shot putter Xylavene Beale (QLD, Mike Barber) are among the other names set to take to the field as the team of 27 prepares to take on Chinese Taipei’s best athletes amongst a host of international visitors.
The New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026 will run from June 6-7, with a livestream from 4:15pm AEST available daily via the ELTASportsHD Youtube channel.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 4/6/2026
